Video: Bakersfield family cat saves boy from dog attack

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - A family cat is a hero and a viral Internet sensation after saving her boy from a dog attack.

Jeremy Triantafilo, 4, was riding his bike in his family's driveway off Eagle Vista Drive when a neighborhood dog, described as a Labrador and chow mix, came from behind and bit down on his leg.

The dog was violently pulling Jeremy down his driveway when his kitty, Tara, bolted to the rescue. Tara plowed into the much-larger dog and chased it away.

"Tara is my hero," Jeremy said Wednesday afternoon. He's wounded and has stitches for the dog bites, but he's without major injuries.

People across the country have shared in the cat's heroics after her owner, Roger Triantafilo, posted household surveillance video of the attack and rescue on YouTube. Triantafilo posted the 56-second clip Wednesday morning, and by midday it had already racked up nearly 200,000 views.